High cost of delays in the court system

I AM constantly amazed by the delays that occur in dealing with court cases and the impact that must have on both victims and public funds.

On Monday we read in the Tele how the victims of one offender, Brian McTaggart (pictured) – a man who has committed some of the most heinous crimes – were having to wait at least 10 months to see him sentenced.

Given what he’s been convicted of, why is there such a delay? Why can’t the judge just lock him up for life and be done with it?

There can be little doubt he’s going to prison, so it shouldn’t be taking 10 months to sort out.

It is an absolute insult to those he attacked that he is still waiting to be sentenced after all this time.

The victims still don’t have closure, and in a country which prides itself on bringing perpetrators of crime to justice in a timely fashion, that’s a digrace.

Then another story came out on Monday about how Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths has had his trial for speeding on the Kingsway put off for a third time – on this occasion because of childcare issues.

How much money has it cost to call this case three times now with next to nothing happening?

Why is the taxpayer having to fork out for preparations in this case to be made, only for it to be moved to a new date?

Surely, when a date is set for a trial, it is the requirement of the court that the person involved makes themselves available for it – childcare issues or not.

I doubt someone accused of a more serious crime would be allowed to postpone their case three times.

No wonder people lose faith in the system.

Unjust.